Traders charged with illegal use of Adidas trademark

TWO TRADERS charged with the unauthorised use of the Adidas Trademark found themselves before last Tuesday's sitting of Wexford District Court where Judge Haughton heard that the sports brand would have lost over €30,000 had the clothing been sold.

One of the traders, M. Ubaid Ramay, has stalls in Wicklow and Rathnew, as well as Wexford.

Ramay with an address at 61 Charlotte Grove, Gorey, and Jatinder Tohani with an address in 107 Moyville, Rathfarnham, both appeared before the court last week.

Superintendant Aidan Brennan said an investigation arose following a complaint that was brought to the attention of gardaí by the Adidas UK Senior Brand Protection Manager in relation to a stall selling clothing weekly in New Ross.

Gardai visited M. Ubaid Ramay's stall on April 10 this year at South Quay in New Ross and found 96 Adidas tops and 67 Adidas tracksuit bottoms, which were seized. If Adidas were to sell these items they would have made €7,530. 'Adidas claim that is a loss to them,' said the Superintendent.

The 46-year-old, the court heard, had a stall in New Ross and has one in Inch, Rathnew and Wicklow. He bought the clothing from a man he had not dealt with before. 'He is paying the cost of that here today,' said defence solicitor Ed King. 'He is a lot more vigilant since this incident,' he added.

Judge Haughton pointed out that this is a serious offence and fined the defendant €750. 'It is an enormous business with criminal implications right through the line,' he said.

Meanwhile, in the case of Jatinder Tohani, he was found with 251 tops and 251 bottoms all bearing the Adidas logo. The value, if Adidas were to retail them, would have been €22,550.

The 42-year-old, who also has a stall in New Ross as well as in Gorey, Carrickmacross and Navan, paid €4,500 for the goods. Solicitor Ed King said his client was cognisant of the loss and the trouble he is in. Judge Haughton fined him €1,500.